Copy

View This Email In Your Browser
Have you been thinking about getting more involved with the Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association? Great News! We're currently looking for a new Chapter Chair and Vice Chair!

Duties for the Chapter Chair include the following: 
  1. Be the primary administrative officer of the Chapter and oversee all aspects of Chapter operations
  2. Be the primary Chapter contact person for the FTA and the public within the Chapter’s area of responsibility.
  3. Receive copies of all Chapter communications from the FTA.
  4. Be a signatory on the Chapter bank account.
  5. Preside at meetings of the Chapter membership and ensure that business is properly conducted.
  6. Call for and organize planning meetings of the Chapter leadership as needed.
  7. Appoint committee chairs, Chapter Council Representative, and submit Chapter approved Trail Coordinator to VP of Trails.
  8. Establish an annual budget or an approval process for payment of expenditures in consultation with Chapter leadership.
  9. Serve as a member of all committees and/or teams.
  10. Serve as the alternate Chapter representative at Chapter Council meetings, if an alternate has not been identified.
  11. In consultation with other appropriate Chapter leaders, assist in identifying a successor before leaving office.
Vice-Chair: Assist, and fill in for, the Chair as necessary.

We need to present the new Chair and Vice Chair on the second Tuesday in February, so let us know as soon as possible if you or someone you know is interested! If you have any questions about the position or would like to volunteer for either position, please reach out to ApalacheeFTA@gmail.com. 
 
Elwood McElhaney, Chair
Apalachee Chapter, Florida Trail Association

CHAPTER MEETING/PROGRAM
DECEMBER 15
IN-PERSON
LOCATION: Unitarian Universalist Church, 2810 N Meridian Rd, Tallahassee, FL
MEET AND GREET AT 6:30 PM
MEETING PROGRAM AT 7:00 PM

Topic: Chapter "Jingle & Mingle"
 
Description: Potluck dinner with the Chapter providing meat, paper and plastic ware, beverages. Bring a covered dish (veggies, casseroles, bread, salad, dessert, specialty drinks, etc.) Anyone with special diet preferences is urged to bring something they can eat and share with others. Don't cook? Don't worry as you can donate to offset the Chapter’s cost of meat, meal supplies, etc. Bring food before 6:30 PM so we can plan to eat by 7 PM.

Volunteers are needed to assist with decorations and setup/cleanup.

We'll hold our classic, fun gift exchange (for those who want to participate) - in which gifts should not cost more than $25 (if paid for) and may be white elephant or homemade gifts. Warning, you’re in danger of too much fun since the gifts can be stolen from one another, thus giving that person gets a chance to choose another gift. Often gifts are accompanied by a poem or funny words describing the gift.

Consider bringing a Holiday food donation for Manna on Meridian, the five-church food pantry in which the Unitarian Universalist church participates. Suggestion: one or more 16 oz jars of peanut butter.

Contact Howard Pardue with questions or to volunteer, hpardue@comcast.net, 850-567-2078.
RSVP ON MEETUP
DECEMBER 2022 ACTIVITIES
 

Please read the GUIDELINES FOR OUTING PARTICIPANTS before signing up for an activity. This will make for a better outing experience. IMPORTANT: It is the position of the Florida Trail Association that all FTA activities may resume fully, as long as they are conducted in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines established by the State of Florida, the CDC, local government, and applicable facility management. COVID Resources.

VIEW ACTIVITIES AND SIGNUP FROM MEETUP: https://www.meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar/2022-12/

DEC 3 SAT 8:45 AM - Challenge Hike: Torreya State Park! 
https://www.meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/287454612/

DEC 4 SUN 8:00 AM ANF Trail Maintenance - Western Apalachicola National Forest
We will be maintaining the Florida Trail in the western section, usually between the Ocholocknee River and the Apalachicola River. All tools and safety equipment will be provided, however if you have special tools of your own, feel free to bring them. YOU MUST CONTACT THE TRIP LEADER FOR MEETING PLACE AND TIME. Contact: Mike Tucker, tuckems@hotmail.com, 850-545-3489 
https://www.meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/qdxwvsydcpbjb/

DEC 4, 18 SUN 8:30 AM - Sunday Morning Urban Walk
https://www.meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar/2022-12/

DEC 5 MON 5:15 PM -  A Walk in the Woods: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park (Piney Z)
https://www.meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar/2022-12/

DEC 7, 14, 21, 28 WED 8:30 AM - Heart and Sole Urban Walk
https://www.meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar/2022-12/

DEC 9 FRI 6:00 PM - Holiday Hike, Old Town & Lafayette Park 
Enjoy a leisurely walk through the Old Town and Lafayette Park neighborhoods to view the holiday lights. Join us for a 3 and ½ to 4-mile walk. Please, no dogs. Children must be accompanied by their legal guardian/parent at all times.
https://www.meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/287453857/

DEC 11 SUN 1:00 PM - Birdsong Nature Center Day Hike
https://www.meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/287964679/
THE TORREYA TRAIL
Booster Shot: 3-Day Trail Maintenance Work Weekend 

January 20-23, 2023, at Torreya State Park 
DEADLINE TO SIGN UP - JAN 2, 2023.  
DON'T MISS OUT -  Limited to 30 participants 
Details provided in the attachments.
Event Announcement
Sign Up Sheet
Interested in helping or have questions - get with Event Chair: Howard Hayes (hhayes29@comcast.net), Trail Maintenance Coordinator: Mike Tucker (tuckems@hotmail.com) or Group Grub Guru: Dawn Griffin (dawngriffinfta@gmail.com).
FLATLANDERS TRIP RECAP
 
This past Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, a group of our members led by Charlie Hood, Shellie Johnson and Dawn Griffin hiked the Foothills Trail. Check out their photos and read about their experiences below!
Read more!
HELP WANTED:
The chapter has volunteer positions available. Showcase your volunteering on a resume. If you are interested contact Elwood McElhaney (850) 566-6830 or emcelhaney@embarqmail.com. Positions require a FTA Membership.
  1. Membership Coordinator
     
  2. FNST Section Leaders
    The Apalachee Chapter maintains the Florida Trail from the Aucilla River west to the Apalachicola River, including the Aucilla River & Sinks Water Management Areas, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and the Apalachicola National Forest. In addition, members maintain loop trails at Fort Braden (Lake Talquin State Forest), Phipps Park, and Torreya State Park. Section Leaders coordinate trail maintenance for areas with the Apalachee Chapter. 
    More information about volunteer opportunities: https://floridatrail.org/volunteer-resources/

CHAPTER OFFICERS

 
CHAIR:  Elwood McElhaney - Recruiting Now!
VICE-CHAIR:   Dawn Griffin - Recruiting Now!
TREASURER: Carol Watkins
ACTIVITIES: Shellie Johnson
MEMBERSHIP:  Need Volunteer(s)
NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE: Mary Adkins
PROGRAMS: Howard Pardue
PUBLICITY/SOCIAL MEDIA:  Ron Harrison  
TRAILS: Kent Wimmer 
VOLUNTEER HOURS:  Dawn Brown  

TRAIL SECTION LEADERS


FNST: ANF WEST -  Need Volunteer(s)
FNST: ANF EAST -  Richard Graham (850) 878-3616
FNST: ST. MARKS - Dale Allen (850) 656-8050
FNST: AUCILLA  -   Need Volunteer(s)
FT. BRADEN TRACT -   Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494
ELINOR KLAPP-PHIPPS PARK - Dawn Brown (850) 668-0091
TORREYA STATE PARK - Need Volunteer(s)

 

FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP


Your membership in the Florida Trail Association helps make our activities open and accessible to everyone. If you are a member, thank you! If you are not a member, please consider making a donation to the FTA at outings or meetings that you attend. Make an online donation or join the FTA today by clicking one of the buttons below.
 
Become A Member
Volunteer
Forward To Friend Forward To Friend
Our Mission: The Florida Trail Association builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the unique Florida National Scenic Trail (Florida Trail), along with a network of hiking trails throughout the state of Florida. Together with our partners, the Association provides opportunities for the public to contribute to meaningful volunteer work, engage in outdoor recreation, and participate in environmental education.   Serving Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla Counties.
Facebook Facebook
Twitter Twitter
Website Website
Email Email
Instagram Instagram
Copyright © 2022 Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, All rights reserved.